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Thread: E30 Not Starting

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
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    Omaha, NE
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    1987 E30 325i coupe

    E30 Not Starting

    I am so confused. So I just got done rebuilding the m20. It is a 1987 325is, and I cant get it to fire up. The car had been parked for a long time before I rebuilt the engine. I put new fuel pump in, rebuilt the head, rebuilt the injectors, all new coolant lines, etc. I still cant get it to fire up. Before I rebuilt it I got it to start by rigging up a fuel pump I had laying around to the fuel rail, and It fired up, however when I turned the ignition of it kept running. So anyways I tore it apart and did what I discussed with the rebuild.

    So anyways fast forward done with the rebuild. I have pressure at the fuel rail. I am going to check for spark tomorrow afternoon. I am not sure if the injectors are pulsing. I bought a scanner to read the ecu. I can get the injectors to fire using the scanner diagnostic tool, but again I am not sure if they are firing. I don't know what would have changed because they fired just fine when I tried to start the car before the rebuild.

    If I take the spark plugs out and there is spark, what could possibly be preventing the injectors from pulsing? I am so excited to hear this car finally run after it sitting for 5 years. If anyone has any ideas I would be extremely happy

    thanks,

    Chris

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
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    corpus christi, texas
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    No e30s, again :(
    crank sensor bad? maybe plugged into the wrong plug since that and that other sensor that connect by each other always accidentally get swapped.


    the other easy common thing to accidentally do is put the spark plug wires wrong
    No e30s again.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
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    1987 E30 325i coupe
    So I looks like the spark plugs are firing and I will double check the orientation of the plugs

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
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    1987 E30 325i coupe
    Well my CPS says open leads. So no ohmsare coming up for cps on any of the combinations I try. So I'm assuming it is bad and needs replaced.

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    No e30s, again :(
    Yup
    No e30s again.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
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    Omaha, NE
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    My Cars
    1987 E30 325i coupe
    Well replaced the cps and still nothing. Anything else I should check? I am getting spark. The fuel pump runs when jumpered (87 to 30). I am struggling to get this figured out. What would be the next thing to check?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Joliet,IL
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    1,121
    My Cars
    87 325is 96 GMC Suburban
    Somehow people put the distributor rotor on 180 degrees out

    - - - Updated - - -

    Somehow people have put the distributor rotor on 180 degrees out

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
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    Omaha, NE
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    1987 E30 325i coupe
    Will this cause spark but no pulse to injectors? The car won't even start for a second just cranks. Also, should I replace all the relays just in case?

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    No e30s, again :(
    the harness being corroded under the intake manifold area will. you might have one of the harnesses that have a plug under the tbi so its easier to remove the fuel rail. if you do, peel back the rubber boots on each side of the connector and look for corroded and (usually) broken wires. i have had that happen on every harness i have ever had that was the two piece type. i cut the connector out and just soldered the wires together. but one side has one more wire than the other side of the connector so only do one wire at a time if you do have the issue and want to remove the connector from the system
    No e30s again.

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    1987 E30 325i coupe
    Is that the one attached to the firewall on the driver's side by the fuse box?

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    1987 E30 325i coupe
    Update:

    Hahahaha holy shit I love these forums. The fusible link is toast lol

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
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    1987 E30 325i coupe
    welp jumping that didnt cause it to start up. I have 12v at injectors. just no pulse

  13. #13
    Join Date
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    No e30s, again :(
    That is still your cps. Check the resistance on your cps
    No e30s again.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
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    1987 E30 325i coupe
    Just put a brand new one in today. It reads about 495 ohms

  15. #15
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    No e30s, again :(
    And it's plugged into the right plug? Since there is those two that look identical
    No e30s again.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
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    Omaha, NE
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    1987 E30 325i coupe
    Yes it is.
    Also is the high pressure fuel pump supposed to kick on when I turn the key?

  17. #17
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    No e30s, again :(
    Your pump should come on for two seconds, or so, as soon as you turn the key.
    No e30s again.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
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    1987 E30 325i coupe
    It's the early model so there are two fuel pumps. I'm does not appear to be turning on

  19. #19
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    No e30s, again :(
    You might have to unplug each thing and check to make sure you are getting signal all the way through the harness.
    No e30s again.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
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    Omaha, NE
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    1987 E30 325i coupe
    Well, son of a bitch. I had the fuel hoses swapped. I am a genius. It starts, and runs great for having sat for 5 years. Thanks for the help.....Anyone know a good therapist?

  21. #21
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    87 325is 96 GMC Suburban
    Forgot that people seem to do that often also

  22. #22
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    No e30s, again :(
    i forgot that also
    No e30s again.

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